Writing instrument

ABSTRACT

A multiple writing element ball point pen includes relatively rotatable top and bottom barrel sections, a cylindrical cam being rotatable with the top section and a guide member carrying a pair of vertically movable cam followers being rotatable with the bottom section. A flexible band passing around a spindle located above the followers has an end connected to each follower so rotation of the cam to advance one follower causes the retraction of the other follower by the pull of the band. Each follower is connected to a chuck which engages a ball point cartridge to alternatively extend and retract the cartridges.

Ganz

Aug. 5, 1975 WRITING INSTRUMENT Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles 75' I t: Wlt C.G ,N Y k,NY. I nven or a H anz ew or Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howard C. Mlsktn [73] Assignee: The Chromatic Corporation,

Brooklyn, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 28. I974 [57] ABSTRACT [21 1 Appl' 437523 A multiple writing element ball point pen includes relatively rotatable top and bottom barrel sections, a cy- [52] U.S. Cl. 401/30 lin rie l cam being rotatable with the top section and {5] Int. Cl. 843K 27/12 a guide ember carrying a pair of vertically movable [58] Field of Search 4()l/29 33 cam followers being rotatable with the bottom section A flexible band passing around a spindle located [56] R f en Cit d above the followers has an end connected to each fol UNITED STATES PATENTS lower so rotation of the cam to advance one follower l ()6l .693 5/1913 Schnebbe 401/30 s? :3 2 5 12 f the 9 follow? by r: 11131161 4/l938 Sega] o. 401/30 0 e ac Y cofmecte m a 2 83325 5H9 Boylaum ml/29 X WIllCh engages a ball polnt cartridge to alternatively 3:266A65 8/1966 Gunz 401/33 emnd and the Cartridges FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8 Claims, 6 Drawing F lgures 264.326 l/l950 Switzerland 401/30 all so I! 24 PATENTEU RUB 5l975 SHEET PATENTEU AUG 5 5 WRITING INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in writing instruments and it relates particularly to an improved multiple writing unit ball point pen in which a writing unit may be selectively extended to a writing position with the other writing units positively being retracted.

The multiple unit writing instruments of the retractable type heretofore available or proposed possess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages and in general have thus not experienced any wide acceptance or success. They are generally bulky and awkward devices which have complex mechanisms or depend on springs, which are generally difficult and inconvenient to operate and assemble and are unreliable and subject to frequent malfunctioning and are expensive and of little versatility and adaptability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved writing instrument.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved multiple unit writing instrument which is quick acting and which provides certainty in which cartridge projects.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved multiple cartridge ball point pen in which a cartridge is selectively extendable to a writing position and the other cartridge is concurrently retracted and which has no springs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple unit ball point pen, having a precision selector mechanism for selecting the desired cartridge, which mechanism is not subject to excessive wear or malfunctioning.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ball point cartridge for use with a rotational selector mechanism, which allows simple replacement, positive, reliable action, and insures proper positioning in the pen barrel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved multiple unit selector mechanism, which permits the selection of the desired writing implement by either a short left hand or a short right hand rotational movement of the turncap of the instrument.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved writing instrument of the above nature characterized by its reliability, ruggedness, simplicity, low cost, ease and convenience of operation and assembly and great versatility and adaptability.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a multiple unit writing instrument, comprising a tubular barrel having an opening at its forward end, a pair of elongated writing elements longitudinally recriprocatable in the barrel between advanced positions projecting through the forward opening and retracted position, an elongated flexible member located in the barrel and traversing a U-shaped path and having opposed ends coupled to respective writing elements and manually actuatable operating means for longitudinally moving the writing elements.

According to a preferred form of the improved writing instrument the flexible member is in the form of a band which extends around a spindle located above the writing elements and has formed at its ends cam followers which slidably engage opposite vertical guide slots in a tubular guide member rotatable with a lower barrel section. Tubular chucks are connected to the hand opposite ends and releasably engage respective ball point cartridges. A cylindrical cam is rotatable with the top barrel section and rotatably engages the tubular guide member and has a bottom end cam face provided with opposite rise and recess portions and which engage the cam followers. Thus, relative rotation of the barrel sections causes the cam to advance one of the followers and the corresponding writing element, the advancing follower automatically retracting the other follower and writing element by way of the flexible band. The cam can be positioned in a position to maintain both cartridges in retracted position.

The improved mechanism is simple, rugged, inexpensive and highly reliable and easy and convenient to operate. It has no springs which often are sprung out of shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dual element writing instrument embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical medial longitudinal sectional view thereof illustrating one of the writing elements in an extended writing position;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with both of the writing elements shown in retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 3', and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved writing instrument, which comprises a tubular barrel including relatively rotatably upper and lower barrel sections 11 and 12. The major parts of the barrel sections are cylindrical, the lower part of lower barrel section I2 tapering downwardly to a writing end having a central opening 13. A stationary cylindrical guide member 14 is positioned in barrel section 12 between its upper and lower ends. A lip 16 projects outwardly from the bottom edge of guide member 14 into firm engagement with barrel section I2 and has an axial guide 17 of oval transverse cross section passing therethrough.

A sleeve 18 has its lower portion telescoping barrel section 12 with its bottom border tightly embraced between the confronting faces of guide member 14 and lower barrel section 12 and abuts the lip 16. Vertical ribs 19 are formed on the sleeve outside face and tightly engage the inside face of lower barrel section 12, so that sleeve 18 rotates with lower barrel section 12. The upper part of sleeve I8 is inwardly stepped as at to provide an upwardly facing peripheral shoulder 21. A collar 22 engages the upper outer face of sleeve 18 below shoulder 21 and includes a bottom outwardly directed peripheral lip 23 which engages the top edge of barrel lower section 12 and an inwardly directed interior top peripheral lip 24, which engages the sleeve shoulder 21.

A tubular guide member 26 includes a short lower cylindrical section 27, an intermediate section 28 of increased outside diameter and an upper section 29 of an outside diameter less than that of lower section 27. The lower guide section 27 abuts the upper edge of lip 24 of collar 22 and tightly engages the sleeve upper section 20 and is secured thereto by a collar 30 tightly engaging the guide lower section 27 and being entrapped between the confronting end faces of collar 22 andn guide intermediate section 28 so that guide member 26 rotates with barrel section 12. The upper and intermediate guide sections 29 and 28 respectively are delineated by an outwardly directed peripheral shoulder 32. The axial bore extending through guide member 26 is of the same transverse cross section and orientation as bore 17 of guide member 14.

Formed in the upper guide section 29 and extending for almost the full length thereof from the shoulder 32 are a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal guide slots 33, which are colinear with and join short seat slots 34 formed in intermediate section 28 and of the same width as slots 33. Guide slots 33 form legs 37 in upper section 29. A seat defining cross-recess 36 defined by flat parallel interior side faces of vertical legs 37 is formed in the top section 29 symmetrical to slots 33. A positionary recess 38 is formed in the top periph eral face of each leg 37 intermediate its ends.

A pair of spindle defining coaxial opposing elements 39 are directed toward each other from and are integrally formed with the inside faces of legs 37 of the guide upper section 29 and are in quadrature with the slots 33 and disposed shortly below the seat recess 36. The top faces 40 of the spindle elements 39 form an arc of a cylinder about a horizontal axis and the elements 39 are closely axially spaced.

A motion transmission member 41 is housed in the upper part 29 of guide member 26 and includes a highflex life flexible band 42, preferrably formed of a synthetic organic polymeric resin. The band 42 traverses a path and is slidable about the top cylindrical faces 40 of spindle 39 and includes a pair of depending side legs 43 which oppositely vary in length with the movement of the band 42 about the spindle 39.

Located at opposite ends of band 42 and integrally formed therewith are enlarged vertical cylindrical heads 44 provided with outwardly directed cam followers 46, which slidably engage respective guide slots 33 and are restricted to vertical movement therein. The cam followers 46 project beyond the outside face of guide upper section 29 and include flat parallel side face and a prism shape cam follower top faces 47. Depending from each of the heads 44 is a pair of transversely spaced, integrally formed, resilient fingers 48, the outer finger of each pair being provided with an outwardly projecting detent 49. A pair of longitudinally extending, parallel, transversely spaced tubular chucks 50 slidably register with the bores 17 of guide member 14 and 25 in guide member 26 respectively and each is provided proximate its upper edge with a transverse aperture 51. A pair of fingers 48 snugly telescopes the upper portion of each chuck 50 and is locked thereto by the detents 49 engaging the apertures 51 so that the chucks 50 move in unison with their corresponding heads 44 and followers 46.

The upper end of guide member 26 is closed by a plug member 52 which includes a radially serrated circular top wall 53, a depending rectangular plug 54 nesting in recess 36 of guide member 26 and depending legs 55 diametrically opposed matingly engaging recesses 38 in member 26. Projecting upwardly from the peripheral border of top wall 53 is an arcuate stop member 56 having end vertical stop faces 57 spaced apart about 90.

The lower major part of upper barrel section 11 is cylindrical and its upper part is slightly tapered and provided proximate its upper edge with a pair of peripherally spaced short parallel vertical slots 58. A tubular cylindrical cam member 59 matingly snugly nests in the upper part of barrel section 11 and is rotatable therewith. The cam member 59 has a cylindrical axial bore which rotatably engages the outer faces of guide member upper section 29 and plug member 52 and includes an upper portion 60 of reduced diameter and delineated from the main portion of the bore by a radially serrated downwardly facing peripheral shoulder 61, which matingly engages wall 53 of plug 52. Also formed on the inside face of cam member 59 and lying in the path of stop member 56 on plug 52 is an arcuate stop member 63 having a serrated end face. A rectangular recess 64 is formed in the upper outer peripheral face cam member 59in registry with slots 58 in barrel section 11. A clip member 65 is provided at its upper end with a pair of legs 66 which engage slots 58 and are secured therein in any suitable manner, their inner ends registering with recess 64. The upper end of the barrel section 11 is closed by a suitable plug 67 having a shank 68 frictionally engaging the bore in upper portion 60.

The cam surface defining bottom end face 69 of cam member 59 includes a bottom rise portion 70 and a top recessed portion 71 diametrically opposite to rise portion 70, the rise and recess portions 70 and 71 being connected by similarly inclined intermediate portions 72. The follower faces 47 of followers 46 slidably engage the cam surface 69. A writing element 73, for example a ball point pen cartridge 73, is inserted into and snugly engaged by each chuck 50 and is longitudinally movable therewith between advanced and retracted positions with their writing tips 74 respectively projecting through and disposed rearwardly of writing tip opening 13.

In the manipulation of the writing instrument It) to extend one writing element or cartridge 73 while retracting the other writing element or cartridge, the barrel sections 11 and 12 are relatively axially rotated to thereby relatively rotate cam member 59 and the followers 46 vertically slidably carried by guide member 26. With such relative rotation the follower 46 which initially engages the cam recessed position 71 is advanced downwardly by a cam inclined section 72 to correspondingly advance a respective chuck 50 and writing element 73. With the cam advance of one follower 46, the other follower 46 is positively raised or retracted by the flexible band 42 traversing the spindle 39 under the influence of the cam advanced follower 46 to thereby retract the corresponding chuck 50 and writing element 73 to permit the full extension of the cam advanced writing element which reaches its fully extended state with the 180 relative rotation of the barrel sections 11 and 12. By relatively rotating the barrel sections l80 in an opposite direction, the extended and retracted position of the writing elements are reversed in the above manner. Both writing elements may be manipulated to retracted positions in the barrel by relatively turning the barrel sections to positions at which the followers 46 engage the cam surface 69 at points midway between the cam rise and recess sections 70 and 71. Because of equilibrium between opposite followers 46 and serrated mating surfaces 53 and 61, the cartridges stay in retracted position. The stop member 63 on the cam member 59 engages stop member 56 on plug 52 when a corresponding writing tip 74 is extended into writing position. The mating serrated surfaces 57 and end faces of member 63 prevent any unwanted movement during writing.

To replace a cartridge merely requires separating barrel portion 12 and withdrawing the cartridge 73 from chuck 50 and replacing with a new cartridge and reassembling barrel 12.

It is seen that an extremely simple multiple writing instrument is provided with a minimum number of parts and yet retaining all of the advantages afforded by multiple type writing instruments. The outer surface of body of the writing unit is smooth and uniform for more comfortable gripping and holding during use as well as making a pleasing esthetic impression. The selector mechanism is positive, quick-acting and smoothly operating with no jolting which causes undue wear. Only a small angular movement of cap 11 makes the instrument l0 ready to operate. This lack of 360 continuous rotation of the cap avoids any error or fumbling about the choice of which writing unit to use. For example, if one writing unit 73 were blue and the other unit were red, the user will know that blue ink will always be available for use if the cap 11 were rotated clockwise, from the inoperative position and red would be available if cap 11 were rotated counterclockwise. Also, if desired, two similar colored cartridges may be used so that one is available as a spare.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple unit writing instrument comprising an elongated tubular barrel having a rear end and an opening at the forward writing end thereof and including relatively rotatable forward and rear coaxial barrel sections, a transversely extending spindle element located proximate the rear end of said barrel, a pair of elongated writing elements longitudinally reciprocatable in said barrel between advanced positions projecting through said opening and retracted positions, an elongated flexible member located in said barrel rearwardly of said opening and traversing a U-shaped path extending around a bearing face of said spindle element facing said rear end and extending forwardly thereof and having opposite ends coupled to respective writing elements to be movable therewith, whereby movement of one of said writing elements in one direction effects the movement of the other writing element in an opposite direction, and manually actuatable operating means for selectively longitudinally moving said writing elements and comprising a first guide member rotatable with said front barrel section and having a pair of longitudinally extending guide slots and supporting said spindle element, a cam follower member connected to each end of said flexible member and slidably engaging respective guide slots, means coupling each of said follower members to a respective writing element and a cylindrical cam rotatable with said rear barrel section and engaging said follower members thereby to longitudinally move said writing elements in opposite direction with relative rotation of said barrel sections.

2. A writing instrument of claim 1 comprising a chuck coupled to each end of said flexible member and longitudinally movable therewith and separably engaging respective writing elements.

3. The writing instrument of claims l wherein said guide member has a longitudinal bore, said coupling means comprises a pair of chucks longitudinally slidably registering with said bore and coupled to and movable with said follower members and separably engaging respective writing elements.

4. The writing instrument of claim 5 including a second guide member located in said forward barrel section and rotatable therewith and having a longitudinal bore aligned with the bore in said first guide member and slidably engaging said chucks.

5. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said flexible member and follower members are integrally formed of a synthetic organic polymeric resin.

6. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said cam has a forwardly directed cam face and has spaced raised and depressed sections concurrently engaging respective follower members.

7. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said cam includes a stop member and including a cooperating stop member mounted on said first guide member to restrict rotation of said cam in one direction when a corresponding writing element is projecting from said barrel.

8. The writing instrument of claim 1 further including means for restricting rotational movement between first guide member and said cam.

* i l i 

1. A multiple unit writing instrument comprising an elongated tubular barrel having a rear end and an opening at the forward writing end thereof and including relatively rotatable forward and rear coaxial barrel sections, a transversely extending spindle element located proximate the rear end of said barrel, a pair of elongated writing elements longitudinally reciprocatable in said barrel between advanced positions projecting through said opening and retracted positions, an elongated flexible member located in said barrel rearwardly of said opening and traversing a U-shaped path extending around a bearing face of said spindle element facing said rear end and extending forwardly thereof and having opposite ends coupled to respective writing elements to be movable therewith, whereby movement of one of said writing elements in one direction effects the movement of the other writing element in an opposite direction, and manually actuatable operating means for selectively longitudinally moving said writing elements and comprising a first guide member rotatable with said front barrel section and having a pair of longitudinally extending guide slots and supporting said spindle element, a cam follower member connected to each end of said flexible member and slidably engaging respective guide slots, means coupling each of said follower members to a respective writing element and a cylindrical cam rotatable with said rear barrel section and engaging said follower members thereby to longitudinally move said writing elements in opposite direction with relative rotation of said barrel sections.
 2. A writing instrument of claim 1 comprising a chuck coupled to each end of said flexible member and longitudinally movable therewith and separably engaging respective writing elements.
 3. The writing instrument of claims 1 wherein said guide member has a longitudinal bore, said coupling means comprises a pair of chucks longitudinally slidably registering with said bore and coupled to and movable with said follower members and separably engaging respective writing elements.
 4. The writing instrument of claim 5 including a second guide member located in said forward barrel section and rotatable therewith and having a longitudinal bore aligned with the bore in said first guide member and slidably engaging said chucks.
 5. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said flexible member and follower members are integrally formed of a synthetic organic polymeric resin.
 6. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said cam has a forwardly directed cam face and has 180* spaced raised and depressed sections concurrently engaging respective follower members.
 7. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein said cam includes a stop member and including a cooperating stop member mounted on said first guide member to restrict rotation of said cam in one direction when a corresponding writing element is projecting from said barrel.
 8. The writing instrument of claim 1 further including means for restricting rotational movement between first guide member and said cam. 